ever wanting on our part; that we seek for nothing beyond the mere integrity and safety of the Roman Catholic religion, in its Christian faith and communion, and in its essential discipline, subordination and moral code; nor may we be justly reproached for our solicitude in guarding those sacred things, for which we are bound to watch, and bear testimony with our lives, if required. Richard O'Reilly, J. T. Troy, Thomas Bray, Francis Moylan, ANECDOTE OF SOPHOCLES, sense. Sophocles, a Dramatic writer, a great fund of genius and good born at Athens about 495 years before the Christian era, was called by some the Bee, from the sweetness of his poetry, and by others the Attic Syren. It is said he composed one hundred and twenty Tragedies, besides a great number of other pieces. Of so many works, seven Tragedies have only come down to us. In them we observe with what art this great man knew how to excite the pas sions, and represent them in all their extraordinary emotions. He is admirable for the purity of his style; his language is pathetic, the fables are always judiciously chosen, and he unites to all these qualities JUDGE This upright and humane magistrate, not confining himself to cold theoretical speculations on charity, is found to be a most active and zealous friend, and bountiful donor to charities of every sect. We have seen a letter of his to a governor of a Catholic charity, ac companied by a considerable donation. We lament to say, that the nature of it, as being a private communication, would not war rant its insertion in our publication. It contains the most exalted senti Sophocles having lived to a very great age, his sons, impatient to possess his property, accused him of having lost his senses, and petitioned to have a guardian assigned him. The only defence set up by Sophocles, was to read the last Tragedy that he had composed to his judges; he then asked them "whether they thought at man who had lost his senses could be the author of that work?" The judges having punished the sons for their ingratitude and want of filial piety, acquitted the father with great applause. DAY. ments of Christian philanthropy, and the most enlightened opinions as to the causes which tend to uphold the wall of separation between Catholics and ProtestantsIn short, it developes so much of a luminous understanding, a correct judgment, and a warm heart, that we do not hesitate to say, EVEN IN THIS HOUR OF EXTREME PERIL to the empire, if her destinies were committed to such men as JUDGE DAY-IRELAND MIGHT YET BE SAVED. SIR SIR RUBENS LEGBOARD'S SALE OF PICTURES, CONTINUED. The miraculous conversion of the Vetoists, a capital piece, in the manner of Peter Paul Rubens's picture of the miraculous conversion of Saul. On one side is seen MR. PERCEVAL standing at the great door of the treasury, with a placard in his hand, whereon is written, "Places!!! Pensions!!!" on the other side is seen Fame with her trumpet, giving a tremendous blast, which appears to assail the ears of a groupe of Irish peasants assembled at a distance. Some of the peasants are in the act of erect ing a gallows, the sight of which seems to transfix the Vetoists, who are reluctantly skulking away from Mr. Perceval and the treasury. This painting is highly coloured, and finished in the best stile. LORD GRENVILLE writing a letter to LORD FINGAL. An exquisite painting; the ghost of MACHI AVEL is seen behind him dictating it; on the table lies an history of ministers of state, from CARDINAL RICHELIEU TO MR. PITT inclusive; also an estimate of the aggregate amount of a British premier's salaries. Doctor D- on his death bed, a most ghastly picture. In his room are seen two popish priests, one of whom appears to be anointing him; the other is engaged in burning a number of books, on the cover of each is written Retractation; there is also a representation of a very curious portable desk, having inscribed on it "PORCUPINES' QUILLS, and GALL of AD. DERS, for writing against Irish Papists." The painter (we are happy to say) has given the Doctor a most repentant phiz, very like one of the thieves in ANGELO's Crucifixion piece. Lords Grenville and Grey at the board of English Catholics, a very fine painting. There appears a label from lord Grenville's mouth, on reading which, it is plainly found that a Catholic Declaration, which is to mean nothing, may do vast good; his lordship appears highly inflated (somewhat like the female preachers described in Swift's Tale of a Tub) at the favourable reception of his newly invented Logic. Lord Grey holds a box in his hand, from which he is seen liberally distributing a pow der called political snuff, the effect of which appears to the spectator to be an optical. delusion before the sight of the English Catholics, who (however) are seen groping their way to the light, by the flame of a taper composed of an Irish Catholic Resolution. The Execution of BLADDERCHOPS FIAT is an incomparable piece of painting; the prominent figure is a strong likeness of SIR JOSHUA REYNOLDS's copy of Chancellor JEFFREYS; he is seen preparing to be launched into eternity, with a methodist preacher at his side, who is endeavouring to divert his attention from a fine horse, rode by one of the multitude anxiously waiting to see him turned off. There is a label from. his mouth, on which is inscribed, "I believe in God-Pray, Sir; can you tell me that horse's pedigree?" The cadaverous colouring of his face, and the torturing emotions of his mind, discoverable by the rapid movement of his eye. balls, prove that the artist has "well well imagined what horrors the recollection of human depravity does inflict on a wicked man, at his last hour. Mr. Latouche disputing with Kent, the Huxterman, on the evidence of Grace. The face of the lettered apostle in this picture is admirably expressive; and the Countenance of his greasy antagonist is most faithfully delineated. In the back ground is a good representation of the Huxterman's shop, well stocked with carnal and spiritual merchandize, the shelves handsomely decorated with Bacon and Hymn-books. Mr. Kent presenting a volume of his sermons, printed in broken English at the Dugdalian Press, to Mr. Latouche, is remarkable for the colouring and accuracy of drawing. On the table is a treatise on the art of paying the harthmoney by diminishing weights and for the safety of her son, expiring on a bayonet, is expressed in the most finished stile of agony; and her supplicating attitude, under the feet of a horse that has one hoof on her neck, and another entangled in her petticoats, exhibits much talents in the ability of the Artist for grand and sublime disposition of pain and affliction. Lord Donoughmore in the House of Lords, complimenting the Catholics on their numbers and loyalty; while his lordship expresses a wish that some favourable occurrence, from a certain state of the Coutinent, may convince them of the necessity of becoming Protestants, as a proof of their sincerity for the safety and security of a Constitution they appear too anxious to share and defend. His lordship's attitude and Countenance most happily display all the affected state, rant and artfulness, so ne. cessary in the trade of Parliament. Robert Emmet, whe. a boy, at dinner with Counsellor Plunket; the youth's attention to the political lessons of the sage is most capitaliy intelligible; and the company, particularly Doctor Emmer, appear highly gratified at the talents of the instructor and the enthusiasm of the pupil. Mr. Plunket in the Irish House of Commons, declaiming against the projected measure of an Union, is a masterly piece. The orator's eloquence is visible in the vigorous and manly expression of his deportment. The painter has united all the most sublime passages of the patriot's feelings, where he menaces England with teaching his children to swear, like other little Hannibals, eternal hatred, on the altars of their country, to the authors of their political extinction. Sir Rubers Legboard tuning a stocking loom, while his rib is singing "Croppies lie down", is a fine manufacturing manufacturing musical production, for which the Major offered Jem my O'Brien's knife, and a Holland shift, torn from Mrs. Wright the night she visited her husband in his imprisonment in Dublin Castle. Sir Thomas Judkin Fitzgerald receiving the honors of knighthood for his care of his Majesty's subjects, gives an instructive lesson of royal patronage and philanthropy. The Baronet's explanation of his loyalty is capitaliy displayed, by producing a cat of nine-tails, neatly tinned and knot ted, at which the attending ministers seem greatly pleased, in the ingenuity of the construction for extorting the two Popish ceremonies, confession and penitence Old Sir Charles Coote, holding his pistol in an Irishman's mouth, and at the same time pulling the trigger, while the fellow blows into the barrel, gives a very interesting figure of British civilization, in a former period of our histo ry. This piece, which formerly held a place in a collection made by the respectable society of Fishmongers Hall in London, was purchased by Legboard, at a sale of lord Clare's, in the year 1803. Lord Blaney opening a country. man's head, to inspect the brain of a fool, who was so weak as to venture from his hut without a clock in a proclaimed district. The peer's surprise at the wretch's ignorance of time, and the agony of the vic. tim, have no equal in the line of martial subjects. A number of poor debtors in court, taking the benefit of an insolvent act One person, whose sulky manner of accounting for his mis fortunes is severely reprimanded by the judge, appears explaining the relative causes of his lordship's elevation and his own depression, by exhibiting an accurate drawing of the Irish house of parliament converted into a bank; the judge, confused at the pantomimical answer and the severe reproof, wipes his face, and orders his wretched antagonist to be discharged. An Irish peasant, detected with a pike in his possession, catechised by his landlord for his ingratitude, answers the proud privileged man, by desiring him to compare the condition of his lordship's hog. sties and his children's cavern, both of which he points at; the human brutes in the one are meagre and dull, while the others are revelling in the most enviable luxury. This piece was in the collection of the late marquis of Sligo, who bequeathed it to the patriot Foster, the best landlord, master and paymaster, in the newly united dominions. Judge 's carriage and livery, and the Union equipage of a College Green shopkeeper. The proud steeds and full footmen, contrasted with the thin tradesman, his empty counters and naked children, shew that the measure of legislative subjugation has given coaches to Idieness, and removed bread from Industry. Luke White striking a bargain with Lord Carhampton, about the price of his estate. The book-binder's stratagem to hasten the purchase, by pulling from his papers, as if by accident, a portrait of a pike-man, is exhibited as eminently successful: the black lord's countenance and terms so instantaneously change, that Luke makes the bargain with considerable advantage. Lord Moira, making an elegant speech on St. Patrick's day, at the anniversary dinner. His lordship's professions for the welfare of his countrymen appear so disgusting to a man of the name of M'Carthy. that the noble orator is in danger of having his discourse interrupted by a flying Decanter. CHAPTER CHAPTER ON JUDGES. Whenever I happen to stray into the courts of law, I am led in to a train of thinking and reason ing, which involuntarily seizes on my imagination; and it is not without considerable pain, and much labour, I am able to extricate myself. Some days ago, I was a few minutes in one of the courts, when the UNION, the dreadful measure of UNION, abruptly impa sed itselfon me; the comparative conditions of Walter Cox and Judge -became the topic. The man who Sirs so formally, with stupid counrenance and antique costume, distributing justice, owes his proud elevation to the very cause that has lowered me! Judge was lately an adventuring law yer-his parents as obscure, and perhaps as honest as Cox's: he got a place in the Irish senate, where, agreeable to the character and constitution of parliament, seats were merchantable commodities. At the period of the UNION, (for he had a vote as a representative of the people,) as his seat was bought, he very reasonably conjectured he had a right to exchange it for adequate value: the British minister put him on the bench-and the trade of parliament in Ireland terminated for ever! In a commercial point of view, this would appear only a trifling transaction; but it comes so closely to my interest and feelings, that my indignation had nearly hurried me into an indecorous exclamation. What an absurdity, said I, to see a man administering justice by retail, who owes his rank to a crime of the most extensive magnitude! This is appointing a thief to pre. serve order, or an Atheist to preach APRIL 1910. the Gospel! The Union has done well for Judge; it has put him and his women into coaches, but is sending the industrious to the work-house. It has extinguished: Trade, and animated elevated Idleness; as poverty is the agent of misfortune, the Union tends to bring Judge - and Walter Cox into court at one time, one at the Bar and the other at the Bench. This awful condition is not confined to me, it is the inheritance of Irishmen and their children; and while pride is zealous, and indigence impatient, the agents of the Union, and the Irish people its victims, will be at contrary interests: one will be pulling the British Leopard for protection, and the other exasperating him for revenge-until the poor animal, overpowered by the swealtry caresses of one party, and the inveterate industry of the other, shall be so exhausted, that he will resign a government of conquest, and leave us to settle the affairs of our country, and our account with the purchased authors of our temporary misfortunes. A numerous people, capable of making a great nation, may be defrauded or forced, but cannot be hoodwinked; they will always be able to distinguish between -the characters of a Franklin, a Smith and an O'Grady. The man who created a country for the sake of his fellow citizens, or the men who extinguished one for their ambition, will be remembered; and, if the grave does not interpose, Justice will not postpone her deliberations, her chastisements, nor her rewards. While my head was in this manner occupied, the voice of the Judge, who began to charge the Jury, interrupted me: his lordship A a made |